FDs for Wives: This Is What Punjab and Haryana High Court Is Asking Husbands in Run-Away Couples to Do

Chandigarh, August 10: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has a new way of dealing with run-away couples in the state. In the recent past, the court in such cases has ended up directing husbands to create fixed deposits in the name of their wives with the amounts ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3,00,000. According to an Indian Express report, the court is doing this to “test the bona fide of the boy as to whether he would be able to keep the marriage surviving” in eloping cases.

The report says that one of the judges, Justice PB Bajanthari, has passed such a direction in at least four cases of eloping couples since July 27. Couples, 20 to 30 on an average in a day, approach High Court seeking protection from their families when they elope.

The High Court earlier used to direct the police to provide protection to the couple after verification of claims. However, the recent few judgements have seen the court directing husbands to make FDs in the name of their wives.

Meanwhile, the High Court has also issued asked the police in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to probe “illegal marriages” performed by self-styled institutions including Pandits, Purohits and Granthis “against the wishes of the parents of the parties and norms of the society”.